Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 26-year-old Evan T. Thomas of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to one count of Burglary in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony). The defendant pleaded guilty, as charged, to the sole count in the indictment against him on the morning jury selection was scheduled to begin in his trial.
On June 27, 2022, at approximately 4:30 a.m., the defendant knowingly and unlawfully entered the victims’ residence in the City of Buffalo with the intent to commit a crime. The victim encountered the defendant, who was not known to him, inside of his kitchen. The defendant, who was wearing the victim’s jacket, was in possession of a bag that contained various items from the home. The victim’s girlfriend called 911. Responding police officers located Thomas, who matched the description provided by the victims, a short time later.
Thomas faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. He was held without bail pending sentence.
DA Flynn commends Officers John Gravius and Nathaniel Rodriguez of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Anthony F. Perna of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Mitchell T. Schoellkopf of the Felony Trials Bureau.